Key Facts

• Two US Army pilots flying an AH-64 Apache helicopter were rescued after their helicopter went down near Oman on June 8.
• A drone boat, operated by Task Force 59 of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain, picked up the pilots from the water.
• This marks the first time the US military used a drone to rescue people at sea.
• The cause of the helicopter crash is unclear; it may have been due to enemy fire, mechanical failure, or another issue.
• The Apache helicopter is used to target small boats operated by Iran’s paramilitary force near the Strait of Hormuz.
• The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route that has seen attacks and blockades related to conflicts between the US, Israel, and Iran since early 2026.
• The US Navy is working to integrate drones and artificial intelligence into its maritime operations.
• The drone boat rescue could lead to more use of drone technology in future search-and-rescue missions, especially in regions like the Pacific.